Texas Egg Farmers Donate 43,200 EggsJust In Time for Easter

Tyler, Texas (March 26, 2013) — Feather Crest Farms of Center is helping in the fight against hunger by donating more than 43,000 eggs to the East Texas Food Bank on Tuesday, March 26 at 10 a.m.

Families continue to struggle to put food on their tables, leading more and more to turn to food assistance organizations across the country for help. In fact, more than 48 million Americans live in food insecure homes.

“Our company has been blessed with more than 60 years in this community, and we are proud to be a part of this effort to give back with a much needed donation to our local food bank,” stated Brian Barrett, President of Feather Crest Farms.

There are more than 428,000 East Texans who are "at-risk of hunger." The East Texas Food Bank provides food assistance to over 183,000 East Texans every year.

Among the most needed items at food assistance organizations are sources of high quality protein, such as fresh eggs. According to the USDA, one large egg delivers six grams of protein and 13 essential nutrients such as choline, folate, iron and zinc. Additionally, the USDA concluded in 2011 that the average amount of cholesterol was 14 percent lower and vitamin D content was 64 percent higher than previously thought.

“We are thankful for the continued support of Feather Crest Farms in providing high-quality, high protein eggs year after year,” said Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank. “This year’s donation of over 43,000 eggs is twice the amount that Feather Crest Farms graciously donated in 2012, and will help us continue our mission to fight hunger and feed hope to our neighbors in need – and just in time for Easter!”

“Year-round our generous farmers donate fresh eggs to their local food assistance organizations,” stated Chad Gregory, president and CEO of United Egg Producers. “We come together during the Easter season to give a little extra and make fresh eggs available to food insecure families across the country.”

For the sixth consecutive Easter season, the United Egg Producers have organized a nationwide effort to give food insecure families a helping hand. U.S. egg farmers are donating nearly nine million fresh eggs this year, bringing the total number of fresh eggs donated by egg farmers since 2008 to 69 million. Consumers can also participate in the nationwide effort by going to www.facebook.com/UEPCertified and pledging to buy UEP-certified eggs. For every pledge received, United Egg Producers will donate one carton of eggs to a local food assistance organization.

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About United Egg Producers

United Egg Producers (UEP) is the nation’s leading trade association for U.S. egg farmers, representing about 95 percent of U.S. egg production. UEP members produce eggs using various systems including conventional cage production, enriched cages, cage-free, free range, organic and other specialty eggs. UEP is currently asking congress to amend the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments which will provide egg laying hens with more space and allow them to perform their natural behaviors such as perching, scratching and laying their eggs in a private nest box area. For more information, visit www.uepcertified.com and www.eggbill.com. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/UEPCertified or follow our updates on Twitter at twitter.com/UEPCertified.

About East Texas Food Bank

The East Texas Food Bank provides more than 14 million meals, which is more than 16 million pounds of food, each year to 200 partner agencies in 26 East Texas counties. Our vision is for a hunger-free East Texas and our mission is to fight hunger and feed hope in East Texas. The East Texas Food Bank is a member of Feeding America and the Texas Food Bank Network. To learn more, please visit EastTexasFoodBank.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/etfoodbank or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/etfoodbank.